Rio is glossy, vibrant, and packed with big hooks—but it’s also very much a product of its time, and not always in the best way. There’s no denying the charm of tracks like Hungry Like the Wolf and the title track Rio—they’re punchy, catchy, and made for MTV. The band knew how to craft pop with a slick, fashionable edge, and the production is polished to a mirror shine. But dig beyond the hits and the album starts to feel a bit thin. The over-reliance on style sometimes leaves substance behind, and a few of the deeper cuts feel like filler dressed in shoulder pads and eyeliner. It’s fun, sure, and there's a playful energy throughout—but it doesn’t quite hold up as a front-to-back classic. Enjoyable in small bursts, but not essential.